Charcoal grill system and method for managing temperature within the same charcoal grill system

ABSTRACT

Various charcoal cartridges are provided herein, including a charcoal cartridge having a unitary charcoal slab and a combustible igniter layer extending across the unitary charcoal slab. In some instances, the charcoal cartridge may have a plurality of holes extending through the unitary charcoal slab and/or a flavor layer that includes wood chips.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

An Application Data Sheet is filed concurrently with this specificationas part of the present application. Each application that the presentapplication claims benefit of or priority to as identified in theconcurrently filed Application Data Sheet is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety and for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to the field of charcoal grills andmore specifically to a new and useful charcoal grill system and methodfor managing temperature within a charcoal grill system in the field ofcharcoal grills.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic representations of a charcoal grillsystem;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representations of a charcoal cartridge;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart representation of one variation of the charcoalgrill system and charcoal cartridge;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of one variation of the charcoalcartridge;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are flowchart representations of a method; and

FIG. 6 is a graphical representation of one variation of the method.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following description of embodiments of the invention is notintended to limit the invention to these embodiments but rather toenable a person skilled in the art to make and use this invention.Variations, configurations, implementations, example implementations,and examples described herein are optional and are not exclusive to thevariations, configurations, implementations, example implementations,and examples they describe. The invention described herein can includeany and all permutations of these variations, configurations,implementations, example implementations, and examples.

1. Charcoal Grill System

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a charcoal grill system 100 includes: agrill housing that includes a cartridge chamber configured to receive acharcoal cartridge including a mass of charcoal and starter material anda cooking chamber thermally coupled to the charcoal cartridge andconfigured to support foodstuffs; an igniter extending into thecartridge chamber configured to contact the charcoal cartridge in thecartridge chamber; a stoke fan configured to pump ambient air into thecartridge chamber; and a cooling fan configured to pump ambient air intothe cooking chamber to cool the cooking chamber; and a temperaturesensor thermally coupled to the cooking chamber. The charcoal grillsystem 100 also includes a controller configured to: receive a targetgrill temperature for the cooking chamber within the charcoal grillsystem 100; enter an ignition mode in response to receiving an ignitiontrigger; activate the igniter to ignite the charcoal cartridge withinthe cartridge chamber and activate the stoke fan to acceleratecombustion of the charcoal cartridge during the ignition mode; andselectively activate the stoke fan and the cooling fan to maintain thecooking chamber at approximately the target grill temperature based onoutputs of the temperature sensor during a temperature management modesucceeding the ignition mode.

2. Method

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a method S100 for managing temperature withina charcoal grill system 100 includes: receiving a target grilltemperature for a cooking chamber within the charcoal grill system 100in Block S110; in response to receiving an ignition trigger from a user,entering an ignition mode in Block S120; during the ignition mode,activating an igniter within the charcoal grill system 100 to ignite acharcoal cartridge arranged in a cartridge chamber within the charcoalgrill system 100 in Block S122 and activating a stoke fan coupled to thecartridge chamber to accelerate combustion of the charcoal cartridge inBlock S124; monitoring a temperature inside the charcoal grill system100 in Block S130; in response to the temperature inside the charcoalgrill system 100 exceeding an ignition temperature, deactivating thestoke fan in Block S140, activating a cooling fan coupled to the cookingchamber to cool the cooking chamber down to the target grill temperaturein Block S142, and entering a temperature management mode in Block S150;and, during the temperature management mode, selectively activating thestoke fan and the cooling fan to maintain the cooking chamber atapproximately the target grill temperature in Block S152.

3. Applications

Generally, Blocks of the method S100 can be executed by a charcoal grillsystem 100 to yield convenience of a gas grill—such as auto-ignition,rapid rise to cooking temperature, a contained fuel source, and simpletemperature control—in a charcoal grill, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and3. In particular, the method S100 can be executed by a charcoal grillsystem 100: to receive a target cooking temperature, cooking time, etc.at a control panel; to automatically ignite a charcoal cartridgecontaining a charcoal briquette upon receipt of an ignition command atthe control panel; to detect and track combustion of the charcoalcartridge; to actively stoke the charcoal cartridge in order to bringthe charcoal cartridge up to temperature quickly; to actively drive thetemperature in a cooking chamber inside the charcoal grill system 100 toa target cooking temperature selected by a user once the charcoalcartridge has come up to temperature; and to implement closed-loopcontrols to selectively stoke the charcoal cartridge and cool thecooking chamber in order to maintain the temperature inside the cookingchamber at the target cooking temperature, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 6.According to the method S100, the charcoal grill system 100 can alsoselectively stoke the charcoal cartridge and/or cool the cooking chamberin order to: cool the cooking chamber once a user-selected cook durationexpires to reduce opportunity for overcooking; cool the cooking chamberonce a user-selected meat temperature is reached to reduce opportunityfor overcooking; or stoke the charcoal cartridge in order to burn outthe charcoal cartridge faster and to reduce waste remaining in thecharcoal grill system 100 once cooking is complete; etc.

As described below, the charcoal grill system 100 can include: a grillhousing that defines a cooking chamber and a cartridge chamberconfigured to receive charcoal cartridges; a set of temperature sensorsarranged throughout the cooking chamber and the cartridge chamber; anigniter configured to locally heat a charcoal cartridge in the cartridgechamber and to cause packaging and/or an ignition layer in this charcoalcartridge to ignite; a stoke fan configured to displace air into thecartridge chamber in order to stoke a charcoal cartridge and thusincrease heat output of the charcoal cartridge; a cooling fan configuredto displace cooler ambient air into the cooking chamber and thusdisplace hot air out of the cooking chamber, thereby reducing thetemperature of the cooking chamber; and a physical control panel coupledto the grill housing and/or a virtual control panel instantiated in anative application or web browser executable on a computing device andconfigured to receive temperature settings, time settings, and/orignition commands. The charcoal grill system 100 can also include acontroller configured to selectively activate the igniter, the stokefan, and the cooling fan based on temperature settings, time settings,and/or ignition commands received from a user through the control paneland based on temperatures detected inside the grill housing according toBlocks of the method S100.

Historically, to prepare a charcoal grill for cooking, charcoalbriquettes are brought to temperature either: by igniting these charcoalbriquettes in a charcoal chimney and then dropping these charcoalbriquettes into the base of a grill once hot, which may require aminimum of fifteen minutes; or by lumping charcoal briquettes in thebase of the grill and igniting these charcoal briquettes with theassistance of lighter fluid, which may require as much at forty-fiveminutes to come to temperature. Furthermore, once ignited, thesecharcoal briquettes have historically been monitored manually todetermine whether the charcoal briquettes are sufficiently hot and readyfor use. Such charcoals grills may also require continued manualmaintenance to confirm that the charcoal briquettes are still hot and toprevent overcooking of foodstuffs; and such charcoal grills may alsorequire extensive wait times for these charcoal briquettes to cool downand may require substantive manual cleaning before stowage.

However, the charcoal grill system 100 can execute Blocks of the methodS100 to automatically activate the igniter—once triggered by a user(e.g., via a single physical or virtual “ignite” button at the controlpanel)—to ignite a charcoal cartridge in the cartridge chamber and toinject air into the cartridge chamber (e.g., at a rate matched to thetemperature of the charcoal briquettes) in order to stoke the charcoalcartridge as the charcoal cartridge begins to burn, thereby approachinga highest rate of combustion for the charcoal cartridge and thus rapidlybringing the charcoal cartridge to temperature, such as in as little astwo or three minutes from first ignition, as shown in FIG. 6. Duringthis ignition mode, the charcoal grill system 100 can also: track thetemperature inside the cartridge chamber (and/or inside the cookingchamber); determine whether the charcoal cartridge has come totemperature based on the temperature inside the cartridge chamber(and/or inside the cooking chamber); and then automatically transitioninto a temperature maintenance mode upon determining that the charcoalcartridge has come to temperature. For example, the charcoal grillsystem 100 can determine that the charcoal cartridge has come totemperature: when the temperature inside the cartridge chamber reaches ageneric ignition temperature; when the temperature inside the cartridgechamber reaches an ignition temperature specific to a type of thecharcoal cartridge; or when the rate of increase in temperature in thecartridge chamber drops below a threshold rate (e.g., less than+10.degree. F. or less than +0.degree. F. per minute); etc. Therefore,the charcoal grill system 100 can execute Blocks of the method S100 toautomatically ignite the charcoal cartridge, actively stoke the charcoalcartridge to reduce a preparation time of the charcoal cartridge,automatically detect that the charcoal cartridge has come totemperature, and then automatically transition to driving the cookingchamber to a target grill temperature upon determining that the charcoalcartridge has come to temperature—all without moving the charcoalcartridge or requiring manual input or monitoring by a user other thantriggering the charcoal grill system 100 to initially ignite thecharcoal cartridge.

Once the charcoal grill system 100 automatically transitions from theignition mode into the temperature maintenance mode, the charcoal grillsystem 100 can: track the temperature inside the cooking chamber;selectively deactivate the stoke fan to reduce thermal output of thecharcoal cartridge and activate the cooling fan to inject cool air intothe cooking chamber when the temperature of the cooking chamber exceedsa target grill temperature selected by the user; and selectivelyactivate the stoke fan to increase thermal output of the charcoalcartridge and deactivate the cooling fan when the temperature of thecooking chamber drops below the target grill temperature. Therefore, thecharcoal grill system 100 can automatically monitor the temperatureinside the cooking chamber and control various actuators within thecharcoal grill system 100 to achieve a user-defined target grilltemperature within the cooking chamber.

Furthermore, once foodstuffs in the cooking chamber reach a target foodtemperature or once a cook duration selected by a user expires, thecharcoal grill system 100 can selectively coordinate the stoke fan andthe cooling fan: to drop the temperature in the cooking chamber in orderto reduce opportunity for foodstuffs in the cooking chamber to overcook;to decrease heat output of the charcoal cartridge in order to extend useof the charcoal cartridge, such as to cook a next foodstuff; or executea burnout cycle to rapidly consume any remainder of the charcoalcartridge; or execute a cleaning cycle to escalate the temperatureinside the grill housing in order to burn off debris inside the charcoalgrill system 100; etc., as shown in FIG. 5B. Therefore, the charcoalgrill system 100 can also automatically execute various post-cookactions in order to protect food remaining in the charcoal grill system100, reduce fuel consumption at the charcoal grill system 100, and/orprepare the charcoal grill system 100 for stowage.

Furthermore, the method is described below as executed by a standardoutdoor charcoal grill system. However, the method can also beimplemented by an indoor or output fireplace, fire pit, chiminea, orcharcoal chimney, etc.

4. Charcoal Cartridge

The charcoal grill system 100 is configured to receive, ignite, andmanage a self-contained charcoal cartridge 200, as shown in FIG. 2. Inone implementation, a charcoal cartridge 200 includes a unitary charcoalbriquette slab, a combustible igniter layer 220 extending across theunitary charcoal briquette slab, and a flavor layer 230 encased in acombustible packaging 240. The charcoal cartridge 200 can thus be fullyself-contained, including: a long-term fuel source in the form of thecharcoal slab; an early ignition source—configured to heat and ignitethe charcoal slab—in the form of the igniter layer 220; flavoring, suchas in the form of a layer of compressed wood chips; and packaging 240configured to encase and isolate these fuel, igniter, and flavorcomponents from human handling, which may simplify use of the charcoalgrill system 100 and charcoal cartridge 200. The charcoal cartridge 200can also be fully combustible such that very little or none of thecharcoal cartridge 200 remains in the cartridge chamber in the charcoalgrill system 100 upon completion of a clean or burnout mode at thecharcoal grill system 100, as described below.

4.1 Charcoal Layer

In this foregoing implementation, the charcoal layer 210 of the charcoalcartridge 200 can include a unitary charcoal briquette slab, such as inthe form of a single pressed, cast, or extruded charcoal structure. Thecharcoal briquette slab can also be perforated to permit airflow throughthe charcoal cartridge 200. Alternatively, the charcoal cartridge 200can include a group of discrete charcoal briquettes arranged in a rigidcombustible support structure, such as a corrugated paper tray orcorrugated paper lattice. The charcoal layer 210 in a charcoal cartridge200 can also include additives or otherwise be of a type of charcoalthat outputs heat within a particular range during typical operation ofthe stoke fan in the charcoal grill system 100. For example, thecharcoal grill system 100 can be configured to interface with charcoalcartridges of different types and configured to output heat at differentrates to support different cooking chamber temperatures (hereinafter“operating temperatures”) in the charcoal grill system 100, such as: a“low-and-slow” charcoal cartridge 200 configured to support cookingchamber temperatures between 175.degree. F. and 250.degree. F.; a“standard” charcoal cartridge 200 configured to support cooking chambertemperatures between 250.degree. F. and 450.degree. F.; and a“charcoal-fired pizza” cartridge configured to support cooking chambertemperatures between 750.degree. F. and 950.degree. F.; etc.

However, a charcoal cartridge 200 can include a charcoal layer 210 ofany other form or type.

4.2 Igniter Layer

The charcoal cartridge 200 can also include a combustible igniter layer220 that extends across the charcoal layer 210 (e.g., across the unitarycharcoal briquette slab). The igniter layer 220 can be of a materialthat is more highly combustible than the charcoal layer 210 and can beconfigured to ignite prior to the charcoal layer 210 when the igniter inthe charcoal grill system 100 is activated. For example, the igniterlayer 220 can include a layer of pressed paper soaked or impregnatedwith mineral oil or lighter fluid and arranged across the breadth andwidth of the charcoal layer 210. In another example, the igniter layer220 can include a layer of fire starter material or lower-densitycharcoal granules arranged across the charcoal layer 210.

However, a charcoal cartridge 200 can include an igniter layer 220 ofany other form, material, or type.

4.3 Flavor Layer

In one variation, the charcoal cartridge 200 also includes a flavorlayer 230. For example, the charcoal cartridge 200 can include a layerof compressed wood chips, such as pressed hickory or applewood woodchips. In this example, the flavor layer 230 can be arranged across thecharcoal layer 210 opposite the igniter layer 220.

However, a charcoal cartridge 200 can include a flavor layer 230 of anyother form, material, or type.

4.4 Packaging

The charcoal cartridge 200 can also include combustible packaging 240encompassing the unitary charcoal briquette slab and the combustibleigniter layer 220. For example, the packaging 240 can include wax paper.The packaging 240 can also include text, iconography, or other visualcontent that indicate the type of charcoal cartridge 200, operatingtemperatures of the charcoal cartridge 200, and/or a flavor or wood chiptype incorporated into the charcoal cartridge 200.

4.5 Igniter Lead

In one variation, the charcoal cartridge 200 also includes an igniterlead: configured to align with and to contact an igniter integrated intothe charcoal grill system 100 when the cartridge is placed fully intothe cartridge chamber; and including a material that exhibits greatercombustibility than the packaging 240 and/or the igniter layer 220. Forexample, the igniter lead can include a local region of the charcoaland/or igniter layers—on one side of the cartridge—impregnated or soakedwith combustible material (e.g., mineral oil) and aligned with a hole inthe packaging 240 configured to contact the igniter in the charcoalgrill system 100 when the charcoal cartridge 200 is inserted into thecartridge chamber. The igniter lead can thus initially ignite—with ahigh degree of likelihood—when the igniter is activated; this flamefront can then spread to the igniter layer 220 more generally and thenon to the charcoal layer 210.

4.6 Integrated Igniter

Alternatively, the charcoal cartridge 200 can include an integratedigniter 250, as shown in FIG. 4. For example, the integrated igniter 250can include a heating element (e.g., a ni-chrome or tungsten resistivewire heating element) passing through the igniter layer 220, adjacentthe igniter layer 220, wrapped around the charcoal cartridge 200 andigniter layer 220, or otherwise in contact with the igniter layer 220.The heating element can also include electrical contacts extending tothe edge of the charcoal cartridge 200, passing through the packaging240, and configured to mate with electrical contacts inside the charcoalgrill system 100 when the charcoal cartridge 200 is inserted into thecartridge chamber. The charcoal grill system 100 can thus selectivelysupply electrical power to the wire heating element in the cartridgechamber—such as via a battery or other power supply in the charcoalgrill system 100 when a real or virtual ignition button is selected by auser—to heat the wire heating element and thus ignite the charcoalcartridge 200.

4.7 Integrated Identifier

In one variation shown in FIG. 2, the charcoal cartridge 200 alsoincludes an integrated identifier that indicates a unique serial numberof the charcoal cartridge 200, a type of the charcoal cartridge 200,and/or combustion characteristics (e.g., operating temperatures) of thecharcoal cartridge 200, etc.

In one implementation, the charcoal cartridge 200 includes aradio-frequency identification (or “RFID”) tag 260 integrated into orarranged on the packaging 240 and loaded with a substantially uniqueidentifier (or “UUID”) loaded with or linked to a type of and/orcombustion characteristics of the charcoal cartridge 200. In thisimplementation, the RFID tag 260 can be arranged on a region of thepackaging 240 configured to be manually torn off of the charcoalcartridge 200 and then scanned at an RFID scanner integrated into thecharcoal grill system 100 or into a user's mobile computing device toidentify the charcoal cartridge 200 before igniting the charcoalcartridge 200. For example, the packaging 240 can include a metallic(e.g., aluminum foil) insert adjacent the RFID tag 260 and configured toshied the RFID tag 260 from an excitation signal when the RFID tag 260is still intact on the package, thereby: preventing an RFID reader—suchas in the charcoal grill system 100—from reading the RFID tag 260 whenthe RFID tag 260 is still in place on the package; ensuring that a userremoves the RFID tag 260 from the package to scan the cartridge into thecharcoal grill system 100, as described below; and thus ensuring thatthe RFID tag 260 is not burned inside the charcoal grill system 100.Therefore, in this implementation, a user may: tear the RFID tag 260from the packaging 240; scan the RFID tag 260 at the charcoal grillsystem 100 or at the user's mobile computing device in order to loadcombustions characteristics of the charcoal cartridge 200 into thecharcoal grill system 100, as shown in FIG. 4; discard the RFID tag 260;insert the charcoal cartridge 200 into the cartridge chamber; and selecta real or virtual igniter button from the control panel to trigger thecharcoal grill system 100 to ignite the charcoal cartridge 200.

In a similar implementation, the charcoal cartridge 200 includes anear-field communication (or “NFC”) tag similarly loaded with a UUIDand/or other charcoal cartridge 200-related data; and the charcoal grillsystem 100 can read these data from the NFC tag to identify the charcoalcartridge 200.

In another implementation, the charcoal cartridge 200 can include abarcode, quick-response code, or other visual identifying informationprinted on the packaging 240, such as including or linked to type andcombustion characteristics of the charcoal cartridge 200. A user canthus scan these visual identifying information at an optical sensorintegrated into the charcoal grill system 100 or with a mobile computingdevice before inserting the charcoal cartridge into the cartridgechamber; the control panel at the charcoal grill system 100 or executingon the mobile computing device can then extract or retrieve the type andcombustion characteristics of the charcoal cartridge 200 from this scan.

In yet another implementation, in the variation described above in whichthe cartridge includes an integrated wire-heating-element-type igniter,a resistance of the heating element can be matched to a type of thecharcoal cartridge 200. Once the charcoal cartridge 200 is inserted intothe cartridge chamber and prior to supplying power to the igniter toignite the charcoal cartridge 200, the charcoal grill system 100 can:read a resistance across the integrated igniter 250; and reference thisresistance to a lookup table or other database to determine a typeand/or combustion characteristics of the charcoal cartridge 200. Forexample, the charcoal grill system 100 can be configured to interfacewith charcoal cartridges of multiple types, and each type of charcoalcartridge 200 can be associated with a discrete range of heating elementresistances, such as: a first resistance (or first discrete resistancerange) for “low-and-slow” charcoal cartridges; a second resistance (orsecond discrete resistance range) for “low-and-slow” charcoal cartridgeswith hickory flavor; a third resistance (or third discrete resistancerange) for “standard” charcoal cartridges; a fourth resistance (orfourth discrete resistance range) for “standard” charcoal cartridgeswith mesquite flavor; a fifth resistance (or fifth discrete resistancerange) for high-temperature charcoal cartridges; and a sixth resistance(or sixth discrete resistance range) for high-temperature charcoalcartridges with coal additive. Thus, when a charcoal cartridge 200 isloaded into the cartridge chamber and the integrated igniter 250 in thecharcoal cartridge 200 engages electrical contacts inside the charcoalgrill system 100, the charcoal grill system 100 can: read the resistanceacross the electrical contacts; reference this resistance to a lookuptable, such as stored in local memory to identify a type of thecartridge; and retrieve combustion characteristics of the cartridgeaccordingly before supplying power through the electrical contacts toheat the igniter and ignite the cartridge.

In another implementation, the combustible packaging 240 includes adimpled surface or other mechanical identifier indicating a type of thecharcoal cartridge 200; and the charcoal grill system 100 includes a setof feelers, switches, or other electromechanical sensors configured toengage this dimpled surface when the charcoal cartridge is inserted intothe cartridge chamber. The charcoal grill system 100 can then identify atype of the charcoal cartridge 200 based on which feelers, switches, orother electromechanical sensors are depressed or otherwise change statewhen the charcoal cartridge 200 is inserted in to the cartridge chamber112.

However, the charcoal cartridge 200 can include an integrated identifierof any other type, and the charcoal grill system 100 can be configuredto access combustion characteristics of the charcoal cartridge 200 fromthis integrated identifier in any other way.

5. Grill System

As described above, the charcoal grill system 100 includes: a grillhousing 110; an igniter 120; stoke and cooling fans; temperaturesensors; and a controller 170.

5.1 Grill Housing

The grill housing 110 includes: a cartridge chamber 112 configured toreceive a charcoal cartridge; and a cooking chamber 114 thermallycoupled to the charcoal cartridge and configured to support foodstuffs.The grill housing 110 can include: a single or multi-walled metal (e.g.,steel) body, such as with fiberglass or ceramic insulation; or a ceramicbody

The cooking chamber 114 can define a main grilling compartment in whichfood (e.g., meat, sausages, vegetable, etc.) is cooked within the grillhousing 110 and can include one or more grate surfaces. The cookingchamber 114 is also thermally coupled to the cartridge chamber 112. Forexample, the cooking chamber 114 can be arranged directly over thecartridge chamber 112 such that heat emanating from the charcoalcartridge rises upwardly into the cooking chamber 114. Alternatively,the cooking chamber 114 can be arranged adjacent the cartridge chamber112; and the charcoal grill system 100 can include a convection fanmounted inside the grill housing 110 and configured to circulate hot airfrom the cartridge chamber 112 into the cooking chamber 114.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the charcoal grill system 100 can alsoinclude a lid 116 configured to enclose the cooking chamber 114. Forexample, the lid 116: can be arranged over or in front of the cookingchamber 114; can be hinged against or removable from the grill housing110; can be operable in an open position to provide access to thecooking chamber 14; and can be operable in a closed position to enclosethe cooking chamber 114 and to retain heat within the cooking chamber114.

The cartridge chamber 112: is configured to receive a charcoalcartridge; is configured to support the charcoal cartridge while thecharcoal cartridge combusts; and is configured to transfer heat—such asvia radiation, conduction, and/or convection—into the cooking chamber114 as the charcoal cartridge combusts. For example, the cartridgechamber 112 can include: a cartridge receptacle configured to receive anew charcoal cartridge laterally; and a door that encloses the cartridgereceptacle and is configured to drive the new charcoal cartridge fullyinto the cartridge chamber 112—and thus into contact with the igniter120—as the door is closed. In another example, the cartridge chamber 112includes: a cartridge receptacle; a drawer configured to open outwardlyfrom the cartridge receptacle, to receive a new charcoal cartridgedropped downwardly into the drawer, and to slide laterally into thecartridge receptacle to seat the new charcoal cartridge within thecartridge chamber 112 and into contact with the igniter 120.

However, the grill housing 110, cooking chamber 114, lid 116, andcartridge chamber 112 can include any other features, be of any othermaterials, and define any other form of geometry.

5.2 Igniter

The charcoal grill system 100 can also include an igniter 120 thatextends into the cartridge chamber 112, is configured to contact thecharcoal cartridge in the cartridge chamber 112, and is configured toignite a charcoal cartridge when activated by the controller 170.

In one implementation, the igniter 120 includes an electric resistanceheater, such as a ni-chrome or tungsten wire coupled to a power supply(e.g., a battery) in the charcoal grill system 100 via a relay. Forexample, the igniter 120 can include ni-chrome coil arranged on aspring-loaded mount arranged on a back side of the cartridge chamber 112opposite the door of the cartridge chamber 112, as shown in FIGS. 1A and1B. Once a new charcoal cartridge is fully inserted into the cartridgechamber 112, a leading face of the charcoal cartridge can come intocontact with the igniter 120, and the spring-loaded mount can depressthe igniter 120 into the charcoal cartridge while also accommodatingvariations in geometry or orientation of this charcoal cartridge withinthe cartridge chamber 112. (Alternatively, the igniter 120 can bearranged overhead or below the cartridge chamber 112 and can beconfigured to contact the top or bottom face of the cartridge chamber112.)

In one variation, the charcoal grill system 100 includes multipleigniters, such as a primary igniter 120 and a backup igniter 120, bothconfigured to contact a new charcoal cartridge loaded into the cartridgechamber 112. In the ignition mode, the controller 170 can activate bothigniters (e.g., by closing corresponding relays to supply power to theigniters) to ignite the charcoal cartridge. Alternatively, thecontroller 170 can: read an electrical resistance across the primaryigniter 120. If this electrical resistance falls within a predefinedresistance range corresponding to a functional igniter, the controller170 can then selectively activate the primary igniter 120. However, ifthe electrical resistance of the primary igniter 120 falls outside ofthe predefined resistance range, the controller 170 can: determine thatthe primary igniter 120 is malfunctioning; prompt user to replace theprimary igniter 120 via the control panel 160; and selectively activatethe secondary igniter 120 to ignite the charcoal cartridge.

However, the charcoal grill system 100 can include any other type ornumber of heating elements or igniters arranged in any other way.

5.3 Stoke Fan+Stoke Vent

The charcoal grill system 100 also includes a stoke fan 130 configuredto pump ambient air into the cartridge chamber 112 (or to recycleinternal air from the cooking chamber 114 into the cartridge chamber112), as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. In particular, the stoke fan 130 canbe configured to draw fresh air into the cartridge chamber 112 in order:to spread a flame front across the charcoal cartridge (e.g., during theignition mode) and thus decrease a duration of the ignition; and toincrease a rate of combustion of the charcoal cartridge (i.e., to“stoke” the charcoal cartridge) and thus increase a rate of heat outputby the charcoal cartridge and increase a temperature of the cookingchamber 114 (e.g., during the temperature maintenance mode).

For example, the grill housing no can include an aperture adjacent thecartridge chamber 112; and the stoke fan 130 can include an electric fanconfigured to push ambient air into the cartridge chamber 112.Alternatively, the stoke fan 130 can be mounted remotely from thecartridge chamber 112, and an output of the stoke fan 130 can be fluidlycoupled to the cartridge chamber 112 via ductwork. However, the stokefan 130 can include any other type of fan arranged in any other way inthe charcoal grill system 100.

Furthermore, the charcoal grill system 100 can include a stoke vent 132arranged across an inlet of the stoke fan 130 and including a shutterconfigured to actively or passively close the inlet of the stoke fan130, thereby inhibiting back flow of heat from the cartridge chamber112, through the stoke fan 130 (which may melt or otherwise damage thestoke fan 130), and out of the charcoal grill system 100 (which mayreduce thermal efficiency of the charcoal grill system 100). Forexample, the stoke vent 132 can include a set of louvers and a solenoidor other actuator configured to open and close the louvers. In thisexample, the controller 170 can: trigger the actuator to close thelouvers in the stoke vent 132 when the stoke fan 130 is inactive; andtrigger the actuator to open the louvers when the stoke vent 132 isactive, such as proportional to a speed of the stoke fan 130.Alternatively, louvers in the stoke vent 132 can be configured topassively open in the presence of a drop in pressure between the stokevent 132 and the stoke fan 130 when the stoke fan 130 is active.However, the stoke vent 132 can include any other type of ventcontroller 170 in any other way.

5.4 Cooling Fan+Cooling Vent

The charcoal grill system 100 also includes a cooling fan 140 configuredto pump ambient air into the cooking chamber 114 to cool the cookingchamber 114. Similar to the stoke fan 130, the cooling fan 140 isconfigured to draw cool air into the cook chamber in order to displaceheated air out of the cooking chamber 114, thereby reducing atemperature inside the cooking chamber 114. The charcoal grill system100 can also include a cooling vent 142 fluidly coupled to the coolingfan 140 and passively or actively controlled by the controller 170,similar to the stoke vent 132 described above.

In one implementation, the lid 116 defines an aperture over the cookingchamber 114; the cooling fan 140 is mounted across (or fluidly coupledto) the aperture; the cooling vent 142 is arranged across the inlet sideof the cooling fan 140; and electrical lines for the cooling fan 140and/or cooling vent 142 pass through a hinge between the lid 116 and thegrill housing 110. In another implementation shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B:the lid 116 defines an aperture over the cooking chamber 114; the grillhousing 110 includes a support arm arranged inside the cooking chamber114 and extending upwardly toward the aperture in the lid 116 when thelid 116 is closed; the cooling vent 142 is mounted to the support armand is configured to fill the aperture when the lid 116 is closed; thecooling fan 140 is mounted to the support arm, such as set inside oroutside of the inlet vent; and electrical lines extending from thecontroller 170, into the grill housing 110, through the support arm, andto the cooling fan 140 (and to the cooling vent 142), thereby avoidingelectrical lines passing through a hinge between the grill housing noand the lid 116.

5.5 Convection Fan

In one variation, the charcoal grill system 100 also includes aconvection fan: mounted inside the cooking chamber 114, such assupported on the grill housing 110; and configured to circulate heatedair inside the cooking chamber 114. For example, the controller 170 canactively activate the convection fan when “low-and-slow” charcoalcartridges are loaded into the charcoal grill system 100 in order tomaintain a consistent, substantially uniform temperature inside thecooking chamber 114.

5.6 Dividers

In one variation, the charcoal grill system 100 also includes internaldividers arranged (permanently or removably) inside the cooking chamber114 and configured to produce multiple temperature zones within thecooking chamber 114, such as a ‘hot zone’ directly over the cartridgechamber 112 and an adjacent ‘warm’ zone.’

5.7 Temperature Sensors

The charcoal grill system 100 also includes a suite of temperaturesensors, such as thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors (or“RTDs”), or negative temperature coefficient (or “NTC”) thermistors,etc., as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

In one implementation, the charcoal grill system 100 includes a set of(i.e., one or more) temperature sensors proximal the cartridge chamber112 and configured to output signals corresponding to temperatures inthe cartridge chamber 112. For example, the charcoal grill system 100can include: one temperature sensor 150 arranged in the cartridgechamber 112 over the igniter 120; and another temperature sensor 150arranged to the back of and above the cartridge receptacle in thecartridge chamber 112.

The charcoal grill system 100 can also include a set of temperaturesensors proximal the cooking chamber 114 and configured to outputsignals corresponding to temperatures in the cooking chamber 114. Forexample, the charcoal grill system 100 can include: a temperature sensor150 mounted to the lid 116 overhead the cooking chamber 114; atemperature sensor 150 mounted adjacent the cooling fan 140; atemperature sensor 150 facing a ‘hot zone’ in the cooking chamber 114;and/or a temperature sensor 150 facing a ‘warm zone’ in the cookingchamber 114.

The charcoal grill system 100 can also include or can be configured tointerface with a temperature probe 152 (or “meat thermometer,” “cookingthermometer,” or “food thermometer”), as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Forexample: the control panel 160 and the controller 170 can be mounted tothe charcoal grill system 100 outside of the grill housing 110; a probejack can be mounted inside the cooking chamber 114 and electricallycoupled to the controller 170; a first end of the thermometer probe canbe inserted into a foodstuff cooking within the cooking chamber 114; anda second end of the thermometer probe can be inserted into the probejack. In this example, the controller 170 can: receive a target foodtemperature selected by a user via the control panel 160; monitor atemperature of the foodstuff in the cooking chamber 114 via thetemperature probe 152 inserted into the foodstuff; and then transitionout of the temperature management mode and into a low-temperature holdmode (e.g., by deactivating the stoke fan 130 and activating the coolingfan 140 to cool the cooking chamber 114) once the temperature of thefoodstuff—read from the temperature probe 152—reaches the target foodtemperature. Therefore, in the charcoal grill system 100 that includesor interfaces with a food thermometer, the controller 170 canselectively transition between modes based on a temperature read fromthe food thermometer.

5.8 Other Sensors

In one variation, the charcoal grill system 100 also includes positionor lock sensors configured to output signals corresponding to states ofthe lid 116 and/or the cartridge chamber door 118 (or drawer) in thecharcoal grill system 100. For example, the charcoal grill system 100can include electromechanical limit switches, Hall effect sensors, orsensors of any other type physically coupled to the lid 116,electrically coupled to the controller 170, and to indicate to thecontroller 170 when the lid 116 and the cartridge chamber door 118,respectively, are open.

5.9 Locks

Furthermore, the charcoal grill system 100 can include locks on the lid116 and/or on the cartridge chamber door 118 (or drawer). For example,the charcoal grill system 100 can include electromechanical orelectromagnetic locks controlled by the controller 170 to selectivelylock the lid 116 and the cartridge chamber door 118 in closed positions,such as during the ignition mode and during the cleaning mode. In thisexample, the charcoal grill system 100 can also include a tilt orposition sensor and can automatically trigger the locks on the lid 116and/or the charcoal cartridge door 118 to engage when an output of thetilt or position sensor indicates that the charcoal grill system 100 istipping over.

5.10 Power Supply

The charcoal grill system 100 can also include an integrated powersupply to power the igniter 120, the stoke fan 130, the cooling fan 140,and the controller 170, etc. For example, the charcoal grill system 100can include: a chassis 119 configured to support the grill housing 110;and a rechargeable battery mounted to the chassis 119 outside of andthermally isolated from the grill housing 110.

5.11 Control Panel

The charcoal grill system 100 includes (or interfaces with) a controlpanel 160: configured to communicate temperature, cook duration, andmode options to a user; and configured to receive ignite, temperature,time, and mode selections from the user.

In one implementation shown in FIG. 3, the control panel 160 isphysically instantiated at the charcoal grill system 100. For example,the control panel 160 can include: a display, a separate ignitionbutton, and separate time and temperature adjust knobs; or a touchscreenimplementing similar functionality mounted to the chassis 119 adjacentthe grill housing 110. In this example, the display or touchscreen canrender: the operating temperature range of a charcoal cartridge loadedinto the cartridge chamber 112; a maximum (remaining) cook durationsupported by the charcoal cartridge; a type of the charcoal cartridge; acurrent target food temperature; a current target grill temperature; acurrent cooking chamber 114 temperature; time remaining in a currentignition mode; time remaining in a selected cook duration; availableoperating modes of the charcoal grill system 100; etc. locally at thecharcoal grill system 100. The control panel 160 can also receiveselection or adjustment of the foregoing operating options locally atthe charcoal grill system 100. The control panel 160 can also include anaudible alarm and/or can render a visual alarm on the display ortouchscreen when a cook duration has expired, when a temperature insidethe cooking chamber 114 has reached the target grill temperature, and/orwhen a foodstuff inside the cooking chamber 114 has reach a target foodtemperature selected by the user.

In another implementation shown in FIG. 1B, the control panel 160 isvirtually instantiated at an external computing device (e.g., asmartphone, tablet, smartwatch, or other mobile computing device). Forexample, the control panel 160 can be virtually instantiated within anative application or configured to execute on a mobile computingdevice; or the control panel 160 can be virtually accessed through a webbrowser executing on such a device. In this implementation, the charcoalgrill system 100 can further include a wireless communication module 180configured to connect with the mobile computing device: to sendtemperature and cartridge-related data, etc. to the virtual controlpanel 160; and to receive ignition triggers and temperature settings,etc. from the virtual control panel 160.

The control panel 160 can therefore include a real or virtual ignitionbutton; upon selection of the ignition button, the controller 170 cantransition into an ignition mode and activate the igniter 120. Thecontrol panel 160 can also receive time and temperature settings throughthe control panel 160 can then implement these settings during asubsequent temperature maintenance mode.

5.12 Controller

The charcoal grill system 100 further includes a controller 170configured to execute Blocks of the method S100. In particular, thecontroller 170 can: receive a target grill temperature for the cookingchamber 114 through the control panel 160; enter an ignition mode inresponse to selection of the (real or virtual) ignition button at thecontrol panel 160; activate the igniter 120 to ignite the charcoalcartridge within the cartridge chamber 112 and activate the stoke fan130 to accelerate combustion of the charcoal cartridge during theignition mode; and selectively activate the stoke fan 130 and thecooling fan 140 to maintain the cooking chamber 114 at approximately thetarget grill temperature based on outputs of the temperature sensor 150during a temperature management mode succeeding the ignition mode.

Generally, the controller 170 can be arranged on the charcoal grillsystem 100, such as mounted to the chassis 119 outside of the grillhousing 110. For example, the controller 170: can be arranged alongsideor integrated into the control panel 160; can be electrically coupled tothe control panel 160 and/or to a wireless communication module 180 toreceive temperature, time, and other settings elected by a user; can beelectrically coupled to the power supply and to a set of relays; and canselectively activate the stoke fan 130, the cooling fan 140, and theigniter 120, etc. by selectively closing these relays during ignition,temperature management, low-temperature hold, burnout, cleaning, and/orother modes.

6. Pre-Ignition Cartridge Detection

In one variation shown in FIGS. 3 and 5A, the controller can: identify atype of a charcoal cartridge loaded into or soon to be loaded into thecartridge chamber; access combustion characteristics known for this typeof charcoal cartridge; and then prompt or otherwise enable the user toadjust control functions of the charcoal grill system 100 based on thesecombustion characteristics. For example, in this variation, thecontroller can: identify a type of the charcoal cartridge; access anoperating temperature range of the charcoal cartridge based on the typeof the charcoal cartridge; and prompt the user to select a target grilltemperature within the operating temperature range of the charcoalcartridge.

6.1 Automated Charcoal Cartridge Identification

In one implementation, the charcoal grill system 100 includes a wirelessscanner coupled to the control panel and configured to read a UUID froman identification tag associated with a charcoal cartridge before thecharcoal cartridge is loaded into the cartridge chamber. Before enteringthe ignition mode, the controller can thus: read a UUID from anidentification tag associated with the charcoal cartridge via thewireless scanner; query a lookup table stored in local (or remote)memory for the operating temperature range of the charcoalcartridge—defined by a minimum temperature and a maximum temperature inthe cooking chamber supported by the charcoal cartridge—based on theUUID; and prompt the user—via the control panel—to select a target grilltemperature within this operating temperature range.

In this implementation, the wireless scan can include a RFID reader; anda charcoal cartridge can include a removable RFID tag arranged on itspackaging. Before inserting the charcoal cartridge into the cartridgechamber, a user can tear the RFID tag from the packaging and scan theRFID tag at the RFID reader. The RFID reader can thus read a UUID fromthe RFID tag and pass this UUID to the controller. Upon receipt of theUUID, the controller can extract various data directly from UUID, suchas: an operating temperature range of the charcoal cartridge, acombustion duration of the charcoal cartridge, and/or a model linkingcooking chamber temperature to combustion duration for the charcoalcartridge. For example, the controller can extract: 175.degree. F. to250.degree. F. for eight hours from a UUID read from a “low and slowbarbecue” charcoal cartridge; 300.degree. F. to 500.degree. F. for fourhours from a UUID read from a “standard” charcoal cartridge; or700.degree. F. to 900.degree. F. for one hour from a UUID read from a“charcoal-fired pizza” charcoal cartridge. Alternatively, the controllercan extract a type of the charcoal cartridge from the UUID read from theRFID tag torn from the charcoal cartridge and then reference a lookuptable—stored in local memory on the charcoal grill system 100 or storedin a remote database—for an operating temperature range and combustionduration of the charcoal cartridge based on the cartridge type. Yetalternatively, the controller can pass the UUID to a remote database,which can interpret the UUID and return various combustioncharacteristics of the charcoal cartridge to the controller.

In this implementation, the controller can also query local memory inthe charcoal grill system 100 for the same UUID to confirm that thisRFID tag was not previously scanned at the charcoal grill system 100. Inparticular, the controller can maintain a log of cartridge UUIDs read bythe RFID reader over time and can authorize an ignition mode andtemperature control at the charcoal grill system 100 only after a new,unique UUID is read from a charcoal cartridge, thereby ensuring that thecharcoal grill system 100 operates according to the method S100 onlywhen new cartridges are installed in the cartridge chamber.

Similarly, for the charcoal grill system 100 than includes a wirelesscommunication module, as described above, the controller can pass theUUID back to a remote server via the wireless communication module; theremote server can then retrieve the type of the charcoal cartridge, anoperating temperature range and/or useful combustion duration of thecharcoal cartridge, and/or whether this UUID was read previously at thischarcoal grill system 100 or at another instance of the charcoal grillsystem 100.

Therefore, if the controller or the remote server determines that a UUIDread from a charcoal cartridge at the charcoal grill system 100 was readpreviously (e.g., at the same or other charcoal grill system 100) andthat the UUID therefore corresponds to a used cartridge, the controllercan reject the cartridge and interface with the control panel to promptthe user to scan a new cartridge. For example, the controller cantrigger an audible and/or visual alert at the charcoal grill system 100to indicate that the RFID tag was thus rejected. Alternatively, thecontroller can transmit a notification to the user's mobile computingdevice to issue a notification specifying that the RFID tag was rejectedand including a prompt to scan an RFID tag from a new charcoalcartridge. In this implementation, the controller can also maintain alock at the cartridge chamber door in a locked state to preventinsertion of a charcoal cartridge until a new, unique UUID is read froma charcoal cartridge.

However, if the controller or the remote server confirms that the UUIDcorresponds to a new charcoal cartridge, the controller can: authorizeuse of the charcoal cartridge at the charcoal grill system 100; load theoperating temperature range and the combustion duration of the charcoalcartridge; and/or unlock the cartridge chamber door; etc. accordingly.The control panel can then enable certain temperature and timer settingsbased on this operating temperature range and the combustion duration ofthe cartridge, as described below.

Furthermore, once the UUID is read from the RFID tag and once anignition mode is subsequently executed by the charcoal grill system 100,the controller can store this UUID as corresponding to a used charcoalcartridge, such as in local memory or in a remote database accessible tothe charcoal grill system 100 and to other instances of the charcoalgrill system 100.

The controller can implement similar methods and techniques to identifythe charcoal cartridge and to retrieve related data based on: datacollected from an NFC tag arranged on the charcoal cartridge; a barcodeor quick-response code read from the charcoal cartridge; or otheroptical features scanned from the charcoal cartridge; etc. As describedabove, the controller can alternatively identify the charcoal cartridgebased on select feelers or other electromagnetic sensors—arrange in thecharcoal chamber—that are depressed when the charcoal cartridge isinserted into the cartridge chamber.

6.2 Manual Charcoal Cartridge Identification

Alternatively, the controller can prompt the user—via the controlpanel—to identify a type of the charcoal cartridge. For example: thecontrol panel can render a dropdown menu of known charcoal cartridgetypes (e.g., at the charcoal grill system 100 or at an external mobilecomputing device); a user can select a type of the charcoal cartridgefrom this dropdown menu; and the controller can retrieve combustioncharacteristics of the charcoal cartridge and enable ignition of thecharcoal cartridge upon receipt of this charcoal cartridge typeselection.

Alternatively, the controller can determine a type of the charcoalcartridge based on burn characteristics of the charcoal cartridgetracked during an ignition mode, as described below. However, thecontroller can preemptively identify a type of the charcoal cartridge inany other way prior to entering the ignition mode in Block S120.

7. Time and Temperature Setting

Block S110 of the method S100 recites receiving a target grilltemperature for a cooking chamber within the charcoal grill system 100.Generally, in Block S110, the controller can access a target grilltemperature for the cartridge chamber, such as based on a selectionentered manually by a user or otherwise associated with a charcoalcartridge loaded into the cartridge chamber.

In one implementation shown in FIGS. 1B and 4A, once the controlleridentifies a type of the charcoal cartridge and/or retrieves anoperating temperature range of the charcoal cartridge, such as describedabove, the control panel can: render the operating temperature range(e.g., a minimum and a maximum cooking chamber temperature supported bythe charcoal cartridge) at the control panel; and prompt the user toselect a target grill temperature between the minimum temperature andthe maximum temperature, inclusive, at the control panel.

The control panel can also prompt the user to select a cook duration,such as a cook duration less than a present maximum cook durationassociated with the type of the charcoal cartridge. Alternatively, thecontroller can: access a combustion model of the charcoal cartridge—thatestimates a combustion duration of the charcoal cartridge as a functionof temperature inside the cooking chamber—based on the type of thecharcoal cartridge; estimate a maximum cook duration supported by thecharcoal cartridge for the selected target grill temperature based onthe combustion model and the target grill temperature selected by theuser; and prompt the user—via the control panel—to select a target cookduration that is less than this maximum cook duration. Therefore, thecontroller can: access a combustion model that represents durations overwhich the charcoal cartridge can achieve a particular cartridge chambertemperature over the operating temperature range of the charcoalcartridge; and implement this combustion model to dynamically limit thetarget cook duration selectable by the user based on the target grilltemperature previously selected by the user.

Alternatively, the controller can implement similar methods andtechniques to: first prompt the user to select a target cook duration;dynamically recalculate a maximum grill temperature supported by thecharcoal cartridge for this target cook duration based on the combustionmodel; and prompt the user to select a target grill temperature lessthan this maximum grill temperature.

The controller can additionally or alternatively receive a target foodtemperature via the control panel. The controller can then monitor atemperature of a foodstuff inside the charcoal grill system 100 via atemperature probe inserted into the foodstuff, as described above, andselectively transition out of the temperature management mode once thetemperature probe reads (or approaches) the target food temperature.

Therefore, the controller can receive fixed time and temperaturesettings for the upcoming or current temperature management mode. Forexample, the user can set a target grill temperature of 225.degree. F.for a target duration of six hours before or after loading a“low-and-slow” charcoal cartridge into the cartridge chamber. Thecontroller can then: automatically initiate a timer for six hours upontransitioning from the ignition mode to the temperature maintenancemode, when the lid is opened and then closed (which may indicate thatfood was placed in the cooking chamber), or when a cook timer ismanually activated by the user; maintain the cooking chamber at thetarget grill temperature of 225.degree. F. while the timer is current;and then trigger an alarm and drop the cooking chamber to a minimumtemperature (e.g., by deactivating the stoke fan and active the coolingfan) in order to reduce a cook rate of food remaining in the cookingchamber while waiting for the user to remove the food from the cookingchamber following expiration of the timer.

The controller can also receive a dynamic target temperature profileand/or other triggers for switching between modes from the user viacontrol panel. For example, the control panel can enable the user to:set a target grill temperature of 225.degree. F. for a “low-and-slow”charcoal cartridge; set a target food temperature of 115.degree. forsteak (or 150.degree. F. for poultry, 130.degree. for pork, etc.); andset a max cooking chamber temperature for three minutes once the targetfood temperature is reached. The controller can implement methods andtechniques described below to maintain the cooking chamber at the targetgrill temperature of 225.degree. F. while tracking the temperature offood in the cooking chamber via the temperature probe. However, once thetemperature probe indicates that the target food temperature has beenreached, the controller can deactivate the cooling fan and activate thestoke fan at maximum speed (e.g., a “sear mode”) for three minutes inorder to raise the temperature in the cooking chamber and sear food inthe cooking chamber. Finally, once this three-minute sear time expires,the controller can trigger an alarm and drop the cooking chamber to aminimum temperature (e.g., by deactivating the stoke fan and activatingthe cooling fan) in order to reduce a cook rate of food remaining in thecooking chamber while waiting for the user to remove the food from thecooking chamber.

However, the controller can cooperate with the control panel to collectany other settings from the user, such as prior to executing an ignitionmode, prior to a temperature maintenance mode and during the ignitionmode, or upon completing a temperature maintenance mode.

However, if the user fails to elect a target grill temperature (or ifthe charcoal grill system 100 identifies a type of the charcoalcartridge during or after the ignition cycle, as described below), thecharcoal grill system 100 can elect a standard or default temperaturefor the type of the charcoal cartridge and implement this defaulttemperature during the temperature management mode described below untilthe user overrides this default temperature with another target grilltemperature.

8. Ignition Mode

Block S120 of the method S100 recites, in response to receiving anignition trigger from a user, entering an ignition mode; Block S122 ofthe method S100 recites activating an igniter within the charcoal grillsystem 100 to ignite a charcoal cartridge arranged in a cartridgechamber within the charcoal grill system 100 during the ignition mode;and Block S124 of the method S100 recites activating a stoke fan coupledto the cartridge chamber to accelerate combustion of the charcoalcartridge during the ignition mode. Generally, in Blocks S120, S122, andS124, the controller enters an ignition mode once a charcoal cartridgehas been loaded into the cartridge chamber and in response to manualselection of the ignition button at the control panel.

At the beginning of an ignition mode, the controller can: trigger thestoke vent to open; set the stoke fan at null or low-power setting;deactivate the cooling fan, and then activate the ignition, such as bytriggering a relay to close the supply power to the igniter, as shown inFIG. 6. The controller can continue to supply power to the igniter forpreset duration (e.g., thirty seconds) or until a temperature sensorarranged near the cartridge chamber indicates an increase in temperaturein the cartridge chamber, such as an increase in temperature in excessof a threshold magnitude (e.g., 10 degrees) or in excess of a thresholdrate (e.g., 10.degree. F. increase in ten seconds). The controller canthus correlate an increase in temperature or a positive rate oftemperature increase in the cartridge chamber as an indication that thecharcoal cartridge has ignited and then deactivate the igniteraccordingly, as shown in FIG. 5B. Therefore, the controller can:continuously monitor a temperature proximal the cartridge chamberfollowing activation of the igniter; and deactivate the igniter inresponse to detecting an increase in temperature proximal the cartridgechamber. Similarly, following activation of the igniter, the controllercan calculate a rate of temperature change within the charcoal grillsystem 100 and then confirm ignition of the charcoal cartridge inresponse to this rate of temperature change exceeding a preset thresholdrate. Alternatively, the controller can deactivate the igniter at theshorter of (or the longer of) either of these time or temperature changetriggers.

Furthermore, the controller can continuously or intermittently increasea speed of the stoke fan throughout the ignition mode, as shown in FIG.6. For example, the controller can monitor the temperature proximal thecartridge chamber—via the cartridge chamber temperature sensor—in BlockS130 following activation of the igniter; and increase a speed of thestoke fan proportional to the cartridge chamber temperature. In thisexample, if the speed of the stoke fan is too high, air may pass intothe cartridge chamber at a rate sufficient to extinguish flame on thecharcoal cartridge; conversely, if the speed of the stoke fan speed istoo low, the charcoal cartridge may combust more slowly and may thusrequire more time to reach operating temperature. Therefore, thecontroller can increase the speed of the stoke fan as a function oftemperature inside the grill housing (e.g., in or adjacent the cartridgechamber), such as based on a generic stoke fan speed/cartridge chambertemperature function or based on a stoke fan speed/cartridge chambertemperature function specific to a type of the charcoal cartridge. Inthis implementation, for the stoke vent configured to be activelyadjusted over a range of open positions, the controller can similarlyadjust the position of the stoke vent as a function of cartridge chambertemperature.

Once the controller determines that the charcoal cartridge has ignited,the controller can maintain the stoke fan in an active state and canmonitor the interior of the grill housing for a trigger event indicatingthat the charcoal cartridge has come up to temperature. In one example,the controller can execute the ignition mode for a preset duration—suchas four minutes or five minutes—following entry into the ignition modeor following confirmation that the charcoal cartridge has ignited. Inanother example, the controller can determine that the charcoalcartridge has come up to temperature once a rate of change intemperature in the cartridge chamber drops below a threshold rate (e.g.,1.degree. F. per second). In this example, the controller can: regularlycalculate a rate of temperature change within the charcoal grill system100 during the ignition cycle; determine that the charcoal cartridge hasapproximately reached a peak temperature (i.e., “come up totemperature”) if this rate of change was previously more positive buthas now fallen below a preset threshold rate of change (and if thecurrent cooking chamber temperature exceeds the target grilltemperature, or “ignition temperature”); and then transition into thetemperature management mode in response to determining that the charcoalcartridge has approximately reached its peak temperature.

In yet another example, the controller can: retrieve a peak estimatedtemperature (e.g., an “ignition temperature”) that approximatelyindicates complete combustion of the packaging and igniter layer in thecharcoal cartridge, such as a generic peak temperature or a peaktemperature specific to a type of the charcoal cartridge; confirm thatthe charcoal cartridge has come up to temperature upon detecting thistemperature in the cartridge chamber; and then transition intotemperature management mode accordingly. For example, by tracking acartridge chamber (or cooking chamber) temperature over time followingactivation of the igniter, the controller can determine when thetemperature inside the grill housing has just peaked (or is about topeak, such as indicated by the temperature in the cartridge chamberdropping or increasing at a rate less than 1.degree. F. per two-secondinterval), which may indicate that the packaging and the igniter layerin the charcoal cartridge has been fully consumed; the controller canthen determine that the ignition mode is complete. The controller canthus implement a peak estimated temperature to trigger transition intothe temperature management mode in order to ensure: thorough ignitionthroughout the volume of the charcoal cartridge; and completeconsumption of the packaging and igniter layer before returning thegrill housing to a target grill temperature at which the user may placefood products inside the cooking chamber.

Therefore, the controller can monitor the charcoal grill system 100 for:the cartridge chamber temperature exceeding a preset ignitiontemperature (e.g., 700.degree. F., greater than the target grilltemperature) indicating sufficient combustion of the charcoal cartridge;the cartridge chamber temperature exceeding a preset ignitiontemperature (e.g., 900.degree. F., greater than the target grilltemperature) indicating complete combustion of the packaging and igniterlayer in the charcoal cartridge; a negative or low rate of temperaturechange in the cartridge chamber indicating (near) complete combustion ofthe packaging and igniter layer in the charcoal cartridge; or a cookingchamber temperature exceeding the target grill temperature; etc. Thecontroller can then transition into the temperature management modeaccordingly.

In particular, the controller can: enter the ignition mode upon manualprompting by a user in Block S120; activate the igniter to ignite thecharcoal cartridge in Block S122; activate the stoke fan to activelymove fresh ambient air into the cartridge chamber to increase rate ofcombustion of the charcoal cartridge in Block S124; and monitor thestate of the charcoal cartridge through one or more temperature sensorswithin the charcoal grill system 100, thereby automatically igniting andmanaging the charcoal cartridge on behalf of the user. As describedbelow, the controller can then transition into the temperaturemanagement mode once a trigger event—such as a time- ortemperature-based trigger event—is detected.

During the ignition mode, the controller can also: check and confirmthat the lid and the cartridge chamber door are closed; and pause theignition mode or selectively deactivate the cooling and stoke fans wheneither the lid or the cartridge chamber door are opened.

9. Temperature Sensor Calibration

In one variation in which a type of the charcoal cartridge is knownprior to entering the ignition mode, the controller can: access a peakexpected temperature in the cartridge chamber when a charcoal cartridgeof this known type is ignited in the charcoal grill system 100; executethe ignition mode and activate the stoke fan to drive the charcoalcartridge to its peak temperature; monitor a temperature within thecartridge chamber during this ignition mode via the cartridge chambertemperature sensor; and store an actual peak temperature in thecartridge chamber during the ignition cycle. In this variation, thecontroller can also: store this peak temperature; and recalibrate thecartridge chamber temperature sensor such that the actual peaktemperature read from the cartridge chamber temperature sensor nowaligns to the peak expected temperature in the cartridge chamber.

The controller can therefore recalibrate the cartridge chambertemperature sensor (and/or any other temperature sensor in the charcoalgrill system 100) based on known data associated with the charcoalcartridge or a type of the charcoal cartridge.

Alternatively, the charcoal grill system 100 can include an ambienttemperature sensor and can calibrate the cartridge chamber temperaturesensor to an output of the ambient temperature sensor prior toinitiating the ignition cycle.

However, the charcoal grill system 100 can implement any other method ortechniques to calibrate the cartridge chamber temperature sensor.

10. Temperature Management Function

The method S100 further includes, in response to the temperature insidethe charcoal grill system 100 exceeding an ignition temperature:deactivating the stoke fan in Block S140; activating a cooling fancoupled to the cooking chamber to cool the cooking chamber down to thetarget grill temperature in Block S142; entering a temperaturemanagement mode; and selectively activating the stoke fan and thecooling fan to maintain the cooking chamber at approximately the targetgrill temperature during the temperature management mode in Block S152.Generally, once a time- or temperature-based trigger event indicatingthat the charcoal cartridge has come to temperature is detected in BlockS130, the controller can: immediately deactivate the stoke fan (andshutter the stoke vent) to slow combustion and heat output of thecharcoal cartridge in Block S140; activate the cooling fan to pump coolambient air into the cooking chamber in order to rapidly cool thecooking chamber down to the target grill temperature in Block S142; andtransition into the temperature maintenance mode in Block S150.

In one implementation shown in FIGS. 5A and 6, upon transitioning intothe temperature maintenance mode in Block S150, the controller canimplement closed-loop controls to selectively: activate the stoke fan(and deactivate the cooling fan) to increase the cooking chambertemperature by increasing the heat output of the charcoal cartridge; andactivate the cooling fan (and deactivate the stoke fan) to decrease thecooking chamber temperature by injecting cooler ambient air into thecooking chamber based on temperatures read from one or more temperaturesensors in the cooking chamber. For example, once the controllerdetermines that the ignition mode is complete in Block S150, thecontroller can immediately: cease operation of the stoke fan (andtrigger the stoke vent to close) in Block S140; and activate the coolingfan at maximum speed (and trigger the cooling vent to open fully) topush cooler ambient air into the cooking chamber inside the grill and todisplace hot air out of the cooking chamber in Block S142, therebyquickly cooling the cooking chamber back down to the user-elected targetgrill temperature. As the cooking chamber temperature decreases andapproaches the target grill temperature, the controller can decrease aspeed of the cooling fan (and move the cooling vent toward the closedposition), such as based on closed-loop control techniques in order toavoid undershooting the target grill temperature. Subsequently, if thecontroller determines that the cooking chamber temperature has droppedbelow the target grill temperature (or is near and declining toward thetarget grill temperature), the controller can deactivate the cooling fanand instead activate the stoke fan, such as at a low speed until thetemperature rises back to the target grill temperature. As the cartridgeis consumed over time and the cooking chamber temperature declinestoward and past the target grill temperature, the controller canreactivate the stoke fan at higher speeds and/or for longer durations inorder to maintain the target grill temperature inside the cookingchamber. Therefore, in Block S152, the controller can activate the stokefan for periods of time and at speeds inversely proportional to a rateof increase in temperature within the cooking chamber when the stoke fanis active, which may be a function of remaining fuel volume or remainingfuel density in the charcoal cartridge. The controller can similarlyactivate the cooling fan for periods of time and at speeds proportionalto a rate of decrease in temperature within the cooking chamber when thecooling fan is active, which may be a function of ambient airtemperature.

As described above, the controller can automatically initiate a cooktimer for the user-elected cook duration: upon transitioning from theignition mode to the temperature maintenance mode; when the lid of thecharcoal grill system 100 is opened and then closed (which may indicatethat food has been placed in the cooking chamber); or when a cook timeris manually activated by the user; etc. The controller can implement theforegoing processes to maintain the temperature in the cooking chamberat the target grill temperature until the cook timer expires.Alternatively, the controller can operate in the temperature managementmode: until a target food temperature is detected at the temperatureprobe; or until insufficient fuel remains in the charcoal cartridge toachieve the target grill temperature (e.g., once constant activation ofthe stoke fan at maximum speed is insufficient to drive the cookingchamber temperature to the target grill temperature). The controller canthen execute an active burnout mode, a second cartridge mode, alow-temperature hold (or “fuel extend”) mode, or an active cleaningmode, etc., such as automatically or based on a subsequent input fromthe user.

Furthermore, during the temperature management mode, the controller canexecute the foregoing methods to maintain the cooking chambertemperature at the target grill temperature when sensors in the charcoalgrill system 100 indicate that the lid and the cartridge chamber doorare closed. However, the controller can: deactivate the stoke fan whenthese sensors indicate that the cartridge chamber door is open in orderto reduce heat loss out of the cartridge chamber door; and deactivatethe cooling fan when these sensors indicate that the lid is open inorder to reduce heat loss out of the cooking chamber.

Furthermore, the charcoal grill system 100 can: estimate an amount offuel remaining in the charcoal cartridge; and indicate this amount offuel at the control panel, such as by activating one light element(e.g., an LED)—of ten light elements in the control panel—per 10% offuel predicted to remain in the charcoal cartridge, thereby providing areal-time visual indicator of current fuel capacity in the charcoalgrill system 100 to the user. Similarly, the charcoal grill system 100can: estimate a duration of time that the charcoal cartridge may outputsufficient thermal energy to maintain the current target grilltemperature; and indicate this duration of time on a virtual countdowntimer rendered on the control panel or indicate this duration of time ona physical clock integrated into the control panel, thereby providing areal-time visual indicator of remaining cook time at the charcoal grillsystem 100 for the user.

11. Post Temperature Management

Once a timer for the cook duration expires or once the temperature probeindicates that the target food temperature has been reached, thecontroller and the control panel can cooperate to issue an alarm orother instruction to the user while continuing to maintain the cookingchamber temperature at the target grill temperature, as described above.The control panel can also enable the user to modify the target grilltemperature (within the operating temperature range of the charcoalcartridge) throughout operation of the charcoal grill system 100, andthe controller can automatically activate the stoke fan or the coolingfan to drive the cooking chamber to this target grill temperature uponreceipt of such change from the user, as shown in FIG. 5B.

In one variation shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, once the controllerdetermines that the temperature management mode is complete—such as oncea timer for the cook duration expires or once the temperature probeindicates that the target food temperature has been reached—thecontroller can transition into one of an active burnout mode, a secondcartridge mode, a low-temperature hold mode, an active cleaning mode, orother secondary mode, such as automatically or based on a subsequentinput from the user.

In this variation, the control panel can prompt the user to select anext mode following conclusion of the temperature management mode. Inone implementation, the controller and the control panel can: predict anamount of fuel left in the charcoal cartridge and/or a remainingcombustion duration of the charcoal cartridge upon conclusion of thetemperature management mode based on time and temperature settingsentered by the user; identify a subset of secondary modes that may beexecutable at the charcoal grill system 100 based on the estimated fueland/or combustion duration remainder; and prompt the user to select oneor more of these secondary modes following conclusion of the temperaturemanagement mode prior to entering the ignition mode. For example, if thecontroller estimates that at least 90% fuel in the charcoal cartridgewill be consumed upon conclusion of the temperature management mode, thecontroller can enable the user to select either the active burnout mode,the low-temperature hold mode, or the second cartridge mode whileexcluding the active cleaning mode for which the charcoal cartridge hasinsufficient fuel. The control panel can additionally or alternativelyprompt the user to select a next mode upon nearing or reachingconclusion of the temperature management mode.

Yet alternatively, the controller can automatically select a secondarymode following conclusion of the temperature management mode. Forexample, the controller can automatically transition into alow-temperature hold mode upon conclusion of the temperature managementmode and execute the low-temperature hold mode for a preset holdduration (e.g., ten minutes) while the control panel renders a prompt toelect a next mode (or awaits a response from the user to an electronicnotification containing a prompt to select a next mode). If the userfails to select a next mode within this preset hold duration, thecontroller can automatically transition to the active burnout mode.However, if the user responds to this prompt with a call to remain inthe low-temperature hold mode: the controller can remain in thelow-temperature hold mode, reset a timer for the preset hold duration,and await a next response from the user. Alternatively, if the userresponds to this prompt with selection of an alternate secondary mode,the controller can transition into the selected secondary mode. Yetalternatively, if the user responds to this prompt with entry of a newtarget grill temperature, new target food temperature, or new cookduration, the controller can transition back into the temperaturemanagement mode and implement these new cook parameters, as describedabove.

11.1 Active Burnout

The controller can transition into the active burnout mode, such as: inresponse to manual selection by the user via the control panel; orautomatically if the charcoal grill system 100 is idle for more than apreset hold duration following completion of the temperature managementmode. In the active burnout mode, the controller can: activate the stokefan at maximum speed to accelerate combustion of the remainder of thecharcoal cartridge; activate the cooling fan at maximum speed in orderto minimize the cooking chamber temperature. Once the cartridge chambertemperature (or the cooking chamber temperature) drops below a presetburnout temperature (e.g., 140.degree. F.), the controller can thendeactivate both the stoke fan and the cooling fan and enter an inactive(or “hibernate” or “off”) mode, as shown in FIG. 6.

The controller can thus execute the burnout mode to rapidly consumeremaining fuel in the charcoal cartridge, thereby: reducing physicalwaste left over in the cartridge chamber; reducing soot output by thecharcoal cartridge; and enabling the user to stow the charcoal grillsystem 100 sooner and without further manual oversight.

11.2 Second Cartridge Mode

In another implementation, if insufficient fuel remains in the charcoalcartridge to achieve the target grill temperature selected by the user,the controller can transition into a second cartridge mode and then:prompt the user to insert a second charcoal cartridge into the cartridgechamber via the control panel; stoke the second charcoal cartridge onceinserted to get the second charcoal cartridge up to temperature; andthen return to the temperature management mode to bring and maintain thecooking chamber temperature back to the target grill temperature.

In one example, in response to failure to increase temperature withinthe cooking chamber to the target grill temperature when the stoke fanis active and the cooling fan is inactive in the temperature managementmode, the controller can: detect insufficient fuel remaining in thecharcoal cartridge; enter the second cartridge mode accordingly; andthen issue a prompt or notification to the user, such as via the controlpanel, to insert a second charcoal cartridge into the cartridge chamber.In particular, once activation of the stoke fan—even at maximum speed—nolonger achieves the target grill temperature inside the cooking chamber,the controller can determine that insufficient fuel remains in thecharcoal cartridge to achieve requirements previously selected by theuser and then prompt the user to either insert a second cartridge intothe cartridge chamber (or elect an active burnout mode at the charcoalgrill system 100 to consume the remainder of the cartridge, as describedabove).

If the user confirms use of a second charcoal cartridge responsive tothis prompt, the controller can unlock the cartridge chamber door. Theuser can then open the cartridge chamber door, partially insert thesecond cartridge into the cartridge chamber, and then close thecartridge chamber door, which forces the second charcoal cartridge intothe cartridge chamber against the remainder of the first cartridge,which may automatically ignite the second charcoal cartridge. In thisimplementation, the controller can also: cooperate with the controlpanel to prompt the user to remove food from the cooking chamber priorto inserting the second charcoal cartridge; pause a cook timer once thisfood is removed (or once the lid is opened); activate the stoke fan anddeactivate the cooling fan once the second charcoal cartridge is loadedin order to rapidly bring the second charcoal cartridge up totemperature and to burn off packaging and the igniter layer from thesecond charcoal cartridge, such as once the cartridge chamber door isclosed; transition back to the temperature management mode once atrigger event is detected, as described above; prompt the user to returnthe food to the cooking chamber once the target grill temperature isreached in the cooking chamber; and then resume the cook timeraccordingly (e.g., once the lid is opened and closed again or once theuser confirms via the control panel that the food has been returned).The controller can then repeat the foregoing methods and techniques toachieve temperature and time parameters set by the user.

The controller can therefore execute the second cartridge mode: toprompt insertion of a second charcoal cartridge into the cartridgechamber when the previous charcoal cartridge was sufficiently consumed;to automatically bring the second charcoal cartridge up to temperature;and to then automatically resume the temperature management mode.

11.3 Active Cleaning Mode

The controller can also selectively execute an active cleaning mode toheat cycle the grill chamber, which may clean debris from the interiorof the cartridge chamber and the cooking chamber. In one implementation,once the cook duration is complete or the target food temperature isreached, the controller estimates an amount of fuel remaining in thecharcoal cartridge, such as based on (e.g., an inverse function of) thespeed, duration, and/or frequency that the controller previouslyactivated the stoke fan to increase the temperature within cookingchamber. If the controller determines that the charcoal cartridge stillcontains an amount of fuel sufficient to significantly increase thetemperature in the cooking chamber, the controller can: prompt the userto confirm the active cleaning mode; transition into the active cleaningmode once confirmed by the user (and once the user removes any remainingfood from the cooking chamber); and then automatically activate thestoke fan to its maximum speed and deactivate the cooling fan in orderto drive up the temperature in the cooking chamber, as shown in FIG. 6.

Furthermore, throughout the active cleaning mode, the controller canmonitor the temperature in the cooking chamber and detect a peaktemperature in the cooking chamber accordingly. The controller canautomatically transition into the active burnout mode, as describedabove: once the cartridge chamber reaches the peak temperature;following a preset duration (e.g., five minutes) after the cookingchamber reaches the peak temperature; or after the cooking chamberreaches another threshold cleaning temperature for a preset thresholdcleaning time.

11.4 Low-Temperature Hold Mode

The controller can also selectively execute a low-temperature hold modeto reduce the cooking chamber temperature and reduce the rate ofconsumption of the charcoal cartridge while preserving an option torapidly raise the cooking chamber temperature back up to the same or newtarget grill temperature following subsequent input from the user. Inone implementation, once the cook duration is complete or the targetfood temperature is reached, the controller can: serve a notification tothe user to remove the foodstuff from the charcoal grill system 100; andautomatically transition into the low-temperature hold mode by default,as shown in FIG. 6. In the low-temperature hold mode, the controller canselectively activate the stoke fan and the cooling fan to maintain thecooking chamber at approximately a low hold temperature, such as aminimum temperature in the operating temperature range of the charcoalcartridge (e.g., 175.degree. F. for a “low-and-slow” charcoal cartridge,250.degree. F. for a standard charcoal cartridge etc.).

Subsequently, the controller can transition from the low-temperaturehold mode back to the temperature management mode in response toreceiving a second target grill temperature and selectively activate thestoke fan and the cooling fan to maintain the cooking chamber atapproximately the second target grill temperature, as described above.However, if the user fails to enter a new target grill temperature orotherwise respond to this prompt within a preset hold duration, thecontroller can automatically transition into the active burnout mode, asdescribed above.

12. Temperature-Based Cartridge Identification

In one variation shown in FIG. 6, the controller identifies the type ofthe charcoal cartridge by matching ignition and early combustioncharacteristics of the charcoal cartridge as the charcoal cartridgecombusts during the ignition mode, such as rather than read a type orUUID from the charcoal cartridge or rather than prompt the user to entera type of the charcoal cartridge prior to entering the ignition mode.

In one implementation, the controller: monitors the temperature insidethe charcoal grill system 100 during the ignition mode in Block S130;characterizes a combustion rate of the charcoal cartridge based on thetemperature inside the charcoal grill system 100 during the ignitionmode; matches the combustion rate of the charcoal cartridge during theignition mode to a known combustion rate of a particular charcoalcartridge type in a set of charcoal cartridge types; and identifies thecharcoal cartridge as of the particular charcoal cartridge typeaccordingly. The controller can then implement methods and techniquesdescribed above to access the operating temperature range, a combustionduration, and/or a combustion model, etc. of the charcoal cartridgebased on the particular charcoal cartridge type of the charcoalcartridge thus determined.

In a similar example, the controller can: identify a peak temperatureinside the cartridge chamber during the ignition mode; and then confirmthe type of the charcoal cartridge selected at the control panel basedon the peak temperature inside the charcoal grill system 100 during theignition mode approaching a known peak temperature associated with thetype of the charcoal cartridge, in a set of known types of charcoalcartridges.

The controller can implement similar methods and techniques to compare atemperature profile, a rate of temperature increase, etc. recorded inthe cartridge chamber as the charcoal cartridge combusts during theignition mode to similar values associated with various types ofcharcoal cartridges and to identify a particular type of the charcoalcartridge accordingly. Therefore, in this variation, the controller cancharacterize (or “fingerprint”) combustion characteristics of thecharcoal cartridge as the charcoal cartridge combusts in the cartridgechamber during the ignition mode and identify a type of the charcoalcartridge accordingly.

The controller can then automatically select a default target grilltemperature based on the type of the cartridge, such as a centertemperature within the operating temperature range associated with thetype of the charcoal cartridge. Alternatively, the controller can selecta target grill temperature that is common to this type of charcoalcartridge, such as: 225.degree. F. for a low-and-slow cartridge typewith a useful temperature range of 175.degree. F. to 250.degree. F.;375.degree. F. for a standard cartridge type with a useful temperaturerange of 300.degree. F. to 500.degree. F.; or 900.degree. F. for acharcoal-fired pizza cartridge type with a useful temperature range of700.degree. F. to 950.degree. F. Yet alternatively, the controller canset the default target grill temperature at the maximum temperature inthe operating temperature range of the charcoal cartridge, therebyenabling the controller to quickly drop the cooking chamber temperatureby deactivating the stoke fan and activating the cooling fan once theuser manually sets a different target grill temperature via the controlpanel. Alternatively, the controller can set the default target grilltemperature at a minimum temperature in the operating temperature rangeof the charcoal cartridge in order to extend a combustion duration ofthe charcoal cartridge or a last temperature selected at the charcoalgrill system 100 for a charcoal cartridge of this same type.

Once the controller thus automatically identifies the type of charcoalcartridge, the controller can enable the user to set time andtemperature parameters at the control panel. For example, the controllercan cooperate with the control panel to: indicate to the user the typeof charcoal cartridge detected; communicate the operating temperaturerange of the charcoal cartridge; prompt the user to enter a target grilltemperature within this operating temperature range; bound a maximumcook duration based on the user-selected target grill temperature;prompt the user to enter a cook duration within this bound; and/orprompt the user to select a target food temperature; as described above.Once the controller receives these parameters from the user, thecontroller can implement these parameters during the temperaturemanagement mode accordingly.

Alternatively, the controller can cooperate with the control panel toreceive time and temperature parameters from the user via the controlpanel in Block S110 without first confirming the type of the cartridge.In this implementation, the controller can then: determine the type ofthe charcoal cartridge based on combustion characteristics of thecharcoal cartridge detected during the ignition mode; and confirm thatthe charcoal cartridge is capable of the time and temperature parametersselected by the user. If the charcoal cartridge is so capable, thecontroller can implement closed-loop controls to implement theseparameters during the temperature management mode in Block S150, asdescribed above. However, if the charcoal cartridge is not so capable,the controller can prompt the user to modify these parameters—viacontrol panel—to align with known capabilities of the type of thecharcoal cartridge.

However, the controller can implement any other method or technique todetermine a type of the charcoal cartridge based on data collected atthe charcoal grill system 100 during the ignition mode.

The systems and methods described herein can be embodied and/orimplemented at least in part as a machine configured to receive acomputer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions. Theinstructions can be executed by computer-executable componentsintegrated with the application, applet, host, server, network, website,communication service, communication interface,hardware/firmware/software elements of a user computer or mobile device,wristband, smartphone, or any suitable combination thereof. Othersystems and methods of the embodiment can be embodied and/or implementedat least in part as a machine configured to receive a computer-readablemedium storing computer-readable instructions. The instructions can beexecuted by computer-executable components integrated bycomputer-executable components integrated with apparatuses and networksof the type described above. The computer-readable medium can be storedon any suitable computer readable media such as RAMs, ROMs, flashmemory, EEPROMs, optical devices (CD or DVD), hard drives, floppydrives, or any suitable device. The computer-executable component can bea processor but any suitable dedicated hardware device can(alternatively or additionally) execute the instructions.

As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the previous detaileddescription and from the figures and claims, modifications and changescan be made to the embodiments of the invention without departing fromthe scope of this invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A charcoal cartridge comprising: a unitarycharcoal slab, and a combustible igniter layer extending across theunitary charcoal slab.
 2. The charcoal cartridge of claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of holes extending through the unitary charcoalslab.
 3. The charcoal cartridge of claim 2, wherein the plurality ofholes further extends through the combustible igniter layer.
 4. Thecharcoal cartridge of claim 1, wherein the unitary charcoal slab is asingle charcoal structure.
 5. The charcoal cartridge of claim 4, whereinthe single charcoal structure is one of: a pressed structure, a caststructure, or an extruded structure.
 6. The charcoal cartridge of claim1, wherein the unitary charcoal slab is configured to output atemperature between 175° F. and 250° F. when combusting.
 7. The charcoalcartridge of claim 1, wherein the unitary charcoal slab is configured tooutput a temperature between 250° F. and 500° F. when combusting.
 8. Thecharcoal cartridge of claim 1, wherein the unitary charcoal slab isconfigured to output a temperature between 700° F. and 950° F. whencombusting.
 9. The charcoal cartridge of claim 1, wherein thecombustible igniter layer comprises a material more combustible than theunitary charcoal slab.
 10. The charcoal cartridge of claim 1, whereinthe combustible igniter layer comprises pressed paper and mineral oil.11. The charcoal cartridge of claim 1, wherein the combustible igniterlayer comprises lower-density charcoal granules than are in the unitarycharcoal slab.
 12. The charcoal cartridge of claim 1, wherein thecombustible igniter layer extends across the breadth and width of theunitary charcoal slab.
 13. The charcoal cartridge of claim 1, furthercomprising a flavor layer that includes wood chips, wherein the flavorlayer and the unitary charcoal slab are discrete layers.
 14. Thecharcoal cartridge of claim 13, wherein the flavor layer, the unitarycharcoal slab, and the combustible igniter layer are discrete layers.15. The charcoal cartridge of claim 13, wherein the wood chips includecompressed wood chips.
 16. The charcoal cartridge of claim 13, whereinthe flavor layer extends across the unitary charcoal slab.
 17. Thecharcoal cartridge of claim 13, wherein the flavor layer is opposite thecombustible igniter layer such that the unitary charcoal slab isinterposed between the combustible igniter layer and the flavor layer.18. The charcoal cartridge of claim 1, further comprising combustiblematerial that encompasses the unitary charcoal slab and the combustibleigniter layer.
 19. The charcoal cartridge of claim 1, further comprisingan igniter lead that comprises a combustible material and is configuredto be contacted by an igniter of a grill when the charcoal cartridgefully inserted into a grill, wherein a flame front is configured tospread from the igniter lead to the combustible igniter layer and thento the unitary charcoal slab.
 20. The charcoal cartridge of claim 19,wherein the combustible material of the igniter lead has a greatercombustibility than the unitary charcoal slab.
 21. The charcoalcartridge of claim 1, wherein the charcoal cartridge has a flat top anda flat bottom.
 22. The charcoal cartridge of claim 1, wherein thecharcoal cartridge has a rectangular shape.